UK-based acquisitions executive Iain Canning and Australian producer Emile Sherman have launched Australia/UK-based production outfit See-Saw Films.

One of the first credits for the new company will be as producer of an English-language remake of writer/director Guillem Morale's 2004 Spanish mystery thriller The Uninvited Guests (El Habitante Incierto).

Canning and Sherman will work with the original film's producers, Joaquin Padro and Mar Targarona from Spanish production company Rodar y Rodar, on the new Spanish/UK version of the same name. The film will go into production this year.

See-Saw has a first-look deal with a just-announced Australian/New Zealand joint venture between Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten's new distribution company Transmission and Paramount Pictures International and Paramount Home Entertainment (see separate story).

See-Saw will also serve as executive producers on other projects with an eye to what suits the joint venture, although the deal is not exclusive. They are on board the Australian production South Solitary, for example. It is to be directed by Camera d'Or winner Shirley Barrett (Love Serenade), and will star Maggie Gyllenhaal and Paul Bettany. The producers are Marian Macgowan and Sarah Radclyffe.

See-Saw is also involved in the planned feature film adaptation of Paul Catling's sci-fi short Tomo, which won a prize at Sundance in 2004. The new UK film of the same name is to be co-produced with Matthew Justice (Hallam Foe, Blade).

Sherman said more details will be revealed soon about new films from Australian directors Ray Lawrence (Lantana, Jindabyne) and John Polson (Swimfan, Hide And Seek).

Canning, a former executive with Renaissance and the executive producer of Control and the upcoming Mary And Max, is about to step down from his role with sales agent Becker International. He previously worked with Sherman on Opal Dream and Candy. Sherman 's name is also on Rabbit Proof Fence and the upcoming Disgrace and $9.99.

Canning and Sherman are minority shareholders in Transmission and Mackie and Payten are minority shareholders in See-Saw.

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